Feeling jilted and cross, Agatha follows a fortune-teller's advice and rents a cottage in the pretty village of Fryfam, where she hopes good fortune and true love will come chasing after her for a change. Unfortunately, her romantic notions are soon dispelled by the strange goings-on in the village. What are those strange lights in Agatha's back garden? Who is stealing paintings and pottery? And who murdered the local squire?
Agatha's nose for trouble leads her into a maelstrom of jealousy, blackmail and dangerous liaisons – and a murderer who plans to keep irrepressible Agatha permanently in Fryfam – as a resident corpse!